as in classic
constituting, serving as, or worthy of being a pattern to be imitated
Helen of Troy was supposedly the quintessential beauty of the ancient world
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Recent Examples of quintessential
For analytical Virgos, Atlas says that completing morning pages is the quintessential way to start their cozy fall days.
—
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2025
Here are some of the quintessential styles to choose from.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
The color is a quintessential bridal look, but the seemingly iridescent touch gives it just the right amount of modernity and whimsy.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 27 Sep. 2025
Arguably the quintessential dark academia novel, Tartt’s campus narrative centers a group of six Classics students who are torn apart after one of them winds up dead.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quintessential
Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Sep. 2025
Here are some of the quintessential styles to choose from.
—Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
The color is a quintessential bridal look, but the seemingly iridescent touch gives it just the right amount of modernity and whimsy.
—Marci Robin, Allure, 27 Sep. 2025
Arguably the quintessential dark academia novel, Tartt’s campus narrative centers a group of six Classics students who are torn apart after one of them winds up dead.
—Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quintessential
Recent Examples of Synonyms for quintessential
Adjective
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There’s even been a couple of classic cup finals to enjoy, while the Arch, at 436 feet almost three times as tall as the old towers, has become a genuine landmark on the London skyline.—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Both of these have the classic looks of black and shiny, rust-resistant zinc.—
Clint Davis,
Southern Living,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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As far as gender-bent reboots go, High Fidelity is exemplary.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
3 Oct. 2025
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Jennings and Tod do an exemplary job of bringing this classic to a new generation, while showing utmost respect for the original.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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His size and demeanor are perfect for wrangling crowds and looking over heads at Titans games to see if people are trying to access vehicles in the parking lot, officers say.—
Craig Shoup,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Oct. 2025
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Neville, who earned his degree in business administration from Regis, was a frequent recipient of perfect ratings from the American Conservative Union and Americans for Prosperity.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Villa do not have an archetypal right-winger following Bailey’s departure.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
11 Sep. 2025
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Gaza also has a Biblical presence, associated with the Philistines, the archetypal enemy of the Israelites.—
Marc Champion,
Twin Cities,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Quintessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/quintessential. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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